bitterling | fish | Britannica.com Bitterling rasbora Bitterling, (Rhodeus), any of several small, carplike fish of the family Cyprinidae noted for their unusual manner of breeding. Native to clear, stony streams of central and southern Europe, the bitterling is a silvery fish of little economic value, about 5 to 7.5 centimetres (2 to 3 inches) long. It spawns between April and June. At this time, the male develops an orange belly and reddish fins, while the female develops a long, tubular ovipositor, which inserts into the incurrent respiratory siphon of a freshwater clam or mussel and by which she deposits her eggs in the gill chamber of the mollusk. There, they are fertilized by sperm ejected by the nearby male and drawn by the mollusk into the gill chamber along with water for respiration. Male bitterling (Rhodeus). © hadot/Fotolia The eggs develop in the gill chamber of the mollusk, and the young bitterlings leave their host about a month later.

The breeding periods of fish and mollusk coincide, and the mollusk in return throws off its larvae onto the bitterling, where they undergo part of their development encysted (buried) in the skin of the fish. Learn More in these related articles: in ostariophysan: Breeding ...leaves (or, in captivity, of aquarium covers), to which she clings, joined by the male, during egg deposition. The parents then splash water on the fertilized eggs during development. The female bitterling (Rhodeus sericeus) deposits its eggs in the gill cavity of freshwater mussels by means of an elongated ovipositor, which she inserts into the mussel’s incurrent siphon. Catfishes... 1 Reference found in Britannica Articles Assorted Reference breeding in fishes (in ostariophysan: Breeding ) External Links Corrections? Updates? Help us improve this article! Contact our editors with your feedback. MEDIA FOR: You have successfully emailed this. Error when sending the email. Try again later. Edit Mode Submit Tips For Editing We welcome suggested improvements to any of our articles. You can make it easier for us to review and, hopefully, publish your contribution by keeping a few points in mind.

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Close Date Published: May 27, 1999 URL: Access Date: January 16, 2017 Share Absurd Creature of the Week: This Crafty Fish Turns Mussels Into Its Surrogate Parents | WIRED Absurd Creature of the Week: This Crafty Fish Turns Mussels Into Its Surrogate Parents subscribe 6 months for $5 - plus a FREE Portable Phone Charger. Slide: 1 / of 4. Caption: Caption: Bitterling (Rhodeus amarus, Rhodeus sericeus), spawning. blickwinkel/Alamy Slide: 2 / of 4. Caption: Caption: Lampsilis reeveiana St. Francis River MOChris Barnhart Slide: 3 / of 4. Caption: Caption: Japanese Rosy bitterling (Rhodeus ocellatus). Nobuo Matsumura/Alamy Slide: 4 / of 4. Caption: Caption: bitterling (Rhodeus amarus, Rhodeus sericeus), juveniles leaving their shell. blickwinkel/Alamy Author: Matt Simon. Matt Simon Science Date of Publication: 10.23.15.

Time of Publication: 7:00 am. 7:00 am Absurd Creature of the Week: This Crafty Fish Turns Mussels Into Its Surrogate Parents Bitterling couples inject their eggs and sperm into living mussels. No, that trailing thing isn't a penis. That thing belongs to the female. blickwinkel/Alamy Last week I wrote a little ditty about North America’s lampsilis mussels, which do unbelievable impressions of fish . And why would they? So that real fish attack them, busting loose clouds of mussel larvae that infiltrate the attackers’ gills. Here the larvae clamp onto the filaments and suck out nutrition, developing in safety until they drop out of their host. This, as you can imagine, is bad for the fish, to the point where it can kill them. Related Links Lampsilis has the most highfalutin way of infesting fish with their larvae, but freshwater mussels the world over do it too—simply by releasing the young into the water column. There’s one group of fishes in Europe and Asia, though, that won’t suffer such parasitization without retaliation: the bitterlings. These guys flip mussels’ reproductive strategy back on them.

Using a tube-like structure, the female fish inserts her eggs into a mussel’s gills, then the male fires his sperm in as well. The fertilized eggs get a nice little home in the host. The host mostly just gets embarrassed. So let us explore the strange game that is different kinds of parasitic river critters trying to impregnate each other with their offspring. The aforementioned lampsilis mussel, showing its mind-blowing fish lure and apparent identity crisis. Chris Barnhart Typically fish reproduction is about as basic as it gets in the animal kingdom. Males and females get near each other, then dump their sperm and eggs into the water. That’s it. The problem with that, though, is it opens the young up to all kinds of problems, particularly predation. Only a fraction will make it. The rest will end up in stomachs. For the bitterling, this won’t do. Its reproduction begins with good mussels, and it’s up to the male to find them, preferably large hosts with more room to hold the young. When he chooses a victim, or even several in a given area, he posts up.

Should rival males take an interest in his property, his coloration intensifies as he head-butts his foes for control of the territory. Then there’s this thing called sexual selection . Females can be quite picky about the males they choose to mate with, whether they judge the fellas’ colors or calls or what have you. Interestingly with the bitterlings, females will more often follow large, colorful males back to their mussels, but if a male’s quarry is a crummy quality, she’ll split. So in a way, the male’s choice in mussels seems to be a function of his fitness for the ladies. But if she digs it, says Tommy Leung , a parasite ecologist at Australia’s University of New England, “she’ll extend this long ovipositor, this very long tube-like organ,” which, for the record, is weird for a fish. “And she’ll stick it into the mussel’s siphon and squirt a few eggs in there.” To do so, it may be that she’s first loading those eggs up in the ovipositor (literally, “egg placer”), then urinating to fire them out.

When she’s done, the male steps up and fires his sperm in there as well. With any luck, the two parties will meet inside the gills of the mussel to make little bitterlings. The parents have, in effect, impregnated another species with their young. And like the deadbeat parents they are, they take off, leaving their kids inside the reluctant babysitter. A Japanese rosy bitterling, so named for its sunny disposition. Nobuo Matsumura/Alamy But bitterling eggs aren’t your typical, spherical fish eggs you get at sushi. They’re oblong—lengthened likely to help them wedge in the mussel’s gills. The increased surface area will also help the eggs absorb more oxygen from the water, which the mussel certainly doesn’t appreciate. Host and parasite find themselves competing to breathe. When the eggs hatch into larvae, the bitterlings have still more adaptations that help them hold on as water rushes in and out of the mussel. Certain varieties have small spines that anchor them. “And there are some species that have these kinds of protrusions on the side of their head,” Leung says.

“They look almost like Mickey Mouse ears, that come out and allow them to wedge themselves in there.” In this larval stage, the bitterlings face a new challenge: eating. While it’d be easy to assume they’re nibbling at the mussel’s tissues, it’s more likely that they’re picking off the food that’s pouring into the host, for mussels are filter feeders, hoovering up bits of organic matter floating around the river. All the larva has to do is pick the stuff off before the mussel can consume it. This, combined with the fact that the larva is stealing oxygen from its host, makes it a clear-cut parasite. The bitterling takes and takes and takes, and when it’s good and ready, it swims out of the mussel and into the world. But the mussel will have its revenge. Well, at least it’ll try. As I mentioned before, the mussel’s aim is to infest any fish in the neighborhood with its own young by dumping its larvae into the water. And it’ll work on a lot of fish—but not the bitterlings. They seem to be particularly resistant to the onslaught. Young bitterlings bid their babysitter farewell. “Bye!

Thanks for letting us stay up past midnight!” blickwinkel/Alamy Freshwater fish mount an immune defense by growing cells around the mussel larvae that clamp onto their gills. Sometimes this works, but other times the larvae can resist the attack and simply chill in the cocoon of cells. But not so with mussel larvae that attack the bitterlings. These fish are great at warding off the parasites. But why? Bitterlings clearly spend a lot of their time around mussels—that is, using them as sexual proxies. “And so in turn,” Leung says, “evolution would select for the [bitterlings] that are more resistant towards these larvae, because if they’re going to be around this thing a lot, being resistant to them would give bitterlings a fitness advantage.” In other words, over evolutionary time, individuals that were better able to resist infection were more likely to reproduce and pass along this resistance. It’s a remarkable relationship, and demonstrates just how intertwined species can be, at times in uncomfortably sexual ways. There’s just so much that science still doesn’t know about Earth’s rapidly changing ecosystems, regarding bitterlings and mussels or otherwise.

Freshwater species like these in particular face tremendous threats from pollution, overfishing, and habitat degradation. “With conservation, people talk about how we should prioritize this species or we should prioritize this particular species,” Leung says. “But there’s still a lot of basic science and natural history work that needs to be done to work out, OK, just how interconnected are they? Are we missing something in terms of what kind of relationship that they have?” As for this particular relationship between bitterlings and mussels, science can probably classify it as … it’s complicated. Browse the full Absurd Creature of the Week archive here . Know of an animal you want me to write about? Are you a scientist studying a bizarre creature? Email matthew_simon@wired.com or ping me on Twitter at @mrMattSimon . The Bitterling and the Mussel The Bitterling and the Mussel A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z The Bitterling and the Mussel The English bitterling is a fish. The swan mussel is a mollusk which lives in a shell like a clam.

The swan mussel opens the two halves of its shell and catches the food that may drift its way. If you should be inquisitive enough to see what the swan mussel would do if you put your finger between the two halves of the shell, you would have reason to regret it, for it would pinch and cause you great pain. The English bitterling and the swan mussel both live in the sea. They are two creatures that are very different from each other. They do not resemble one another in the least. The swan mussel is a sort of shapeless creature like an oyster, can never leave its shell, and has no fins with which to swim. But the English bitterling is graceful, has scales that glitter, and darts through the water with lightning speed. Although these two are so very different in appearance and in the way in which they live, they are very friendly to each other and have formed a partnership which works for the advantage of both. The English bitterling has a problem and so has the swan mussel. Their partnership solved both of their problems. When the English bitterling lays its eggs other fish eat them. This was a real problem.

But the swan mussel, too, has a problem. It has no feet to walk and no fins with which to swim. This meant that he and others of his kind could not spread out to different parts of the ocean. They would all have to live together and perhaps there would not be enough food for all of them. So this too was a real problem. Then the English bitterling and the swan mussel went into partnership. The mussel opens its shell wide and allows the bitterling to lay eggs in its gill folds. At the same time the mussel sends out many baby mussels which attach themselves to the scales of the fish by means of tiny hooks. The bitterling swims away to other parts of the sea and the tiny mussels hold on until they are ready to let go. This is the way the mussels get to distant places in the sea. In this partnership the mussel keeps the fish's eggs not only until they are hatched but until the baby fish are able to take care of themselves. This is a strange partnership between the English bitterling and the swan mussel who are so different in every way. These two have an arrangement whereby the one does for the other what the other cannot do for itself.

If two creatures so very different in every way can be friendly and help each other, certainly people who are so very much alike ought not quarrel but help one another and live in friendliness. People everywhere are much the same. Their bodies are alike, they have the same joys, the same sorrows and the same problems. But there is always something that we can do for someone which he cannot do for himself. Sometimes you have a problem. There is an answer to every problem but you do not know the answer to your problem. Someone, however, has the answer. Find that person and he will be glad to help you. Someone else has difficulty. Perhaps you are the one to help him. When someone is discouraged and feels blue, you have something to give him; give him your friendship and your smile. Some day he will be ready to give you what you need. Perhaps you do not have a very strong religion. Read what others have said about God and Jesus Christ. They can help you get the right kind of religion which you cannot get for yourself. When we sing and pray together in Church we help each other and do for one another what none could do for himself alone. All other people can help us.

Indians can teach us bravery, the Negro courage, the Chinese and Japanese courtesy, the Greek beauty, the Turk courage, the English tenacity, the German loyalty and the Dutch cleanliness. We can all help and learn from one another. It is much easier to help each other than to quarrel. If the English bitterling and the swan mussel who are so very different can do for the other what the other cannot do for himself then certainly there is much that we can give and do for one another. Coldwater Aquariums - The Free Freshwater and Saltwater Aquarium Encyclopedia Anyone Can Edit - The Aquarium Wiki Oranda Goldfish This is a guide designed to help those wishing to go cooler than the well known tropical tanks. This guide details fish both classed as "coldwater", tolerating temperatures down to around 10°C (50°F) and "sub-tropical", tolerating temperatures from around 15.6°C (60°F) to lower tropical temperatures around 21.1-23.9°C (70-75°F) . But, as with all tanks, there's a lot more to keeping these fish than just temperature!

If you are considering going "coldwater" as you have decided this will be easier than keeping a tropical heated tank, unfortunately you've been misguided! To class a tank truly as coldwater you would need to have a chiller installed. A chiller costs substantially more to buy and run than a heater! If you are going to get your first tank, I strongly suggest buying a heater and either setting it low for sub-tropical fish, or going the whole hog and going tropical. For fish to thrive they need stability, this can't be maintained in an "unheated" room temperature tank, unless you have a room that is temperature controlled of course. Be aware that a lot of coldwater animals do have legality issues in temperate countries such as the UK and Australia, simply because, although they're not native, they would survive in the wild waterways, destroying populations of native fish. If you still want to stay chilled, have a look at some of the options below. There's a lot more out there than just Goldfish ! Freshwater Fish These are just some of the many options of freshwater fish you can find, with more coming into the hobby all the time.

These fish are listed in order based on minimum tank size needed, smallest to largest. Temperature Needed: 17.8-25°C (64-77°F) Tank Size Needed: at least 57 Litres (15 US G.) Unlike most Corydora Catfish which are tropical fish, the little Peppered Cory prefers much cooler temperatures, which makes it ideal for a sub-tropical community set up. Like most Corydoras, the Peppered Cory loves company of its own kind and should be kept in groups of at least 4-5. Corys require a soft substrate in order to keep their barbels healthy, sand or very fine gravel is ideal and will mean you get to see its natural digging behaviour. These are exceptionally peaceful fish that will not bother tank mates, indeed they'll troll around the bottom of the tank oblivious to any other occupants. They will struggle in very strong currents, best kept in lightly planted tanks, or with plants that don't mind their roots being disturbed, with equally peaceful sub-tropical fish.

Temperature Needed: 17.8-25°C (64-77°F) Tank Size Needed: at least 57 Litres (15 US G.) These are curious little fish, also called UFO Plecos and Hong Kong Plecos, which means many mistake them as Pleco Catfish. They are not, they are part of the River Loach family. As their name suggests, they originate from fast-flowing mountain rivers, very similar environment to White Cloud Mountain Minnows which makes them ideally co-habitants. These fish thrive in mature tanks with large rounded river rocks to cling to and a strong current with a lot of oxygen in the water. Plants aren't really required as they wouldn't come across much in the wild. The tank must be mature though with some algae growth on which to graze. It also seems to enjoy company of its own kind. Temperature Needed: 11.7-25.6°C (53-78°F) Tank Size Needed: at least 57 Litres (15 US G.) This is an active little livebearer that should be kept in the livebearer ratio of a least 1 male per 2-3 females.

This fish is a surprisingly aggressive little fin nipper, it should only be housed with fast swimming and robust fish, fish like Zebra Danios , White Cloud Mountain Minnows or Rosy Reds should be able to tough it out with them. As this fish is a livebearer females will produce fry monthly, but are likely to eat their own fry if the fry aren't given enough cover. They are fairly hardy and will tolerate both freshwater and brackish . Food wise, they are unfussy accepting most small meaty food like brine shrimp and daphnia , they may also nibble at plants too. They are the most colourful of fish, with females looking very similar to Guppy females. Males have shimmering blue iridescence on their flanks and are substantially smaller than females. Temperature Needed: 20-25°C (68-77°F) Tank Size Needed: at least 57 Litres (15 US G.) This is a very active small livebearer, something a bit different from the common Guppy or Platy , but just as prolific!

As with all livebearers, this fish should be kept in the ratio of 1 male per 2-3 females to avoid the females being pestered and bullied by the over-amorous males! They are surprisingly attractive little fish too, looking fairly plain at first, both males and females have metallic iridiscence and faint vertical banding on their flanks, as well as shimmering blue eyes. The males get the "Black Chin Livebearer" name from the large amount of black from the base of their mouth right down to the tip of their elongated gonopodium and along the base of the body to the caudal fin. Both males and females also have a black spot at the base of the dorsal fin. They may also have black spots around the top of the head too. They are very active and are therefore best in tanks over 57 Litres (15 US G.) despite their size. They also don't generally eat their own fry, but dense hiding places in java moss will help protect the babies when they're born. These are peaceful and active fish that work with similar sized fish and inverts, they should not be kept with larger fish which may eat both adults or fry.

Temperature Needed: 15.6-23.9°C (60-75°F) Tank Size Needed: at least 57 Litres (15 US G.) Also known as the "Paradise Fish", this fish does not live up to its angelic name! These are very territorial sub-tropical Gouramis that are best kept in spacious species tanks. They work well in a male/female pair, provided they've bonded, and should not be mixed with any other anabantoid or equally territorial species of fish, if any. They may work, in a big enough tank, with fast swimming fish such as Zebra Danios , provided there's enough swimming space for both. That said, male Paradise Gouramis can be stunning fish with several colour morphs now available and with large flamboyant fins. A definite colour splash in a planted tank! They do not tolerate strong currents however, a heavily planted tank with plenty of places to explore and hide with a soft current is ideal.

Temperature Needed: 18.3-23.9°C (65-75°F) Tank Size Needed: at least 57 Litres (15 US G.) When most people think "Tetra" they think of strictly high-end tropical Tetras, such as Cardinal Tetras , but there are exceptions and the Bloodfin is one of them. Like other Tetras, the Bloodfin is a shoaling Tetra and must be kept in groups of 6 or more. They are known to fin nip so it is best to keep these with short-finned fast swimming fish and to be kept in a tank with plenty of hiding places and planting for them, and tank mates, to hide. They are otherwise fairly peaceful and active, and with their striking red fins, make for attractive fish in a sub-tropical tank. Temperature Needed: 18.3-23.9°C (65-75°F) Tank Size Needed: at least 76 Litres (20 US G.) The Zebra Danio is an exceptionally well known and easily found fish in aquatic stores. It is a very active and relatively hardy shoaling fish.

They do often get marketed for small tanks which, sadly, are not suitable. Due to this Danio's active nature and need to shoal, they need at least 61cm (24") long and to be kept in a group of at least 6. Any less and in any smaller a tank and they are liable to turn on one another and any tank mates. In a spacious tank with an equal mix of planting and open swimming space these are excellent community fish, as long as fellow tank mates are not bothered by this fish's very active and bold nature. There are a few morphs available of this fish, both albino and long-fin have been seen. It's cousin, the Leopard Danio , which is said to simply be a colour morph of the Zebra, would also be suitable. Temperature Needed: 17.8-23.9°C (64-75°F) Tank Size Needed: at least 76 Litres (20 US G.) Bitterlings seem to be relatively unknown in the pet trade yet are becoming more readily available, especially Asian Bitterlings such as the Rosy Bitterling.

This is a small and slightly shy fish that does best in shoals of their own kind, at least 6. They can look fairly pale and washed out in stores, but once they are established in their tank they develop a lot more colour and can look a lot like Melanotaenia praecox from a distance! They prefer a cool tank with a sand substrate and lots of rocks/ bogwood for cover. They prefer alkaline conditions to acidic. They are peaceful and should work well with other sub-tropical community fish such as Rhinogobius Gobies. Temperature Needed: 17.8-25°C (64-77°F) Tank Size Needed: at least 76 Litres (20 US G.) The Rosy Barb is one of the more peaceful Barbs available, as Barbs are well known for being fin nippers, although it is still best to avoid keeping them with long-finned fish, just in case. It is happiest in groups of at least 6, with a few more females than males. They originate from Asia and are fairly unfussy about the tank environment, tolerating a range of water chemistries.

They prefer a spacious tank with a good amount of open swimming space and some places to dash and hide if necessary. They prefer a soft substrate of fine gravel or sand. They are even fairly simple to breed in captivity as long as there's nothing around that could eat their eggs. They generally get between 7.6-10.2cm (3-4"), but 15.2cm (6") wild fish have been known! They are fairly robust and will tolerate the active nature of similar sized fish such as Zebra Danios . Temperature Needed: 17.8-23.9°C (64-75°F) Tank Size Needed: at least 76 Litres (20 US G.) This fish is commonly sold as a "feeder fish", which it isn't really suitable for. To the untrained eye they can even be mistaken for juvenile Goldfish ! They are happiest in groups of at least 4-6 of their own kind and should be peaceful towards other sub-tropical species of fish.

There are several colour morphs of this fish, the wild variant being olive with a dark lateral line, the other morphs includes orange and a pinkish variant which gives them the common name "Rosy Red". They do best in a spacious tank with plenty of rocky hiding places. Note: this fish is illegal in England and Wales. Temperature Needed: 13.9-23.9°C (57-75°F) Tank Size Needed: at least 95 Litres (25 US G.) Bottom-dwelling freshwater Gobies are becoming increasingly more available in the pet trade. The Candidus Goby is peaceful towards tank mates, except if they're other Gobies. It's best to keep one to a tank, or a male/female pair may work if the tank is large enough. Their tank should be a minimum of 61cm (24") in length with a gravel/sand mix substrate and hiding places in rounded river rocks and bogwood . They are a current and high oxygen loving species so should work well with fish that like the similar conditions such as White Cloud Mountain Minnows . They are bottom dwelling and they may dig in the substrate, so all décor should be secure.

Water quality should be excellent and they are best only kept in well matured tanks. Temperature Needed: 15-25°C (59-77°F) Tank Size Needed: at least 114 Litres (30 US G.) The Red Shiner is a very active temperate fish that must be kept in shoals of at least 5 of their own kind. They are active swimming fish so require a very long wide tank, a minimum of 88.9cm (35") in length, to allow for this movement. They should never be housed with slower moving fish like Goldfish as the Red Shiners are known to fin nip. They can work with other faster swimming fish like Zebra Danios . Their tank should be well oxygenated with good surface movement. These are an attractive alternative to common coldwater fish, the males are iridescent blue/green and red in colour, the females have less to no red and just iridescent blue/green flanks with hints of red in the fins. The vibrant nature of their colours will show best under excellent aquarium lighting and they can look dull in shops.

Temperature Needed: 10-22.8°C (50-73°F) Tank Size Needed: over 76-208 Litres (20-55 US G.) per fish depending on variety The most well known coldwater fish, the Goldfish is often touted as a beginner option. Sadly it's not that simple to keep and requires very large housing with excellent filtration, it's an exceptionally messy fish! They are best kept in species tanks, not mixed with other species of fish or invertebrates, and are best either kept singly or in groups over 4-5. In pairs or trios they are likely to bully and fin nip one another, especially when spawning season comes around. It is also strongly recommended to not mix long-bodied Common type Goldfish with shorter-bodied Fancy Goldfish. To keep 5 Fancy Goldfish such as Orandas, you ideally need at least a 227-246 Litres (60-65 US G.) tank with a good filter but without a strong current as they are not strong swimmers.

To keep 5 of the larger more active Common-type Goldfish you'd need closer to 454 Litres (120 US G.) or more, these fish are best in ponds though which should be over 1893-2271 Litres (500-600 US G.). Temperature Needed: 10-23.9°C (50-75°F) Tank Size Needed: at least 208 Litres (55 US G.) This is an unusual eel-like fish often found lurking around the bottom of Goldfish tanks at pet stores, usually when they're only 7.6-12.7cm (3-5"). They are not ideal tank mates with Goldfish however. Weather Loaches are so named as when the air pressure changes, such as an incoming thunder storm, they will go mad, dashing about and crashing into everything. For this reason they need a secure tank with quick tank mates, they will crash into slower moving tank mates and could cause internal injuries. If they find the wall of the tank they will go up, and out if the tank is open topped!

They do best in a spacious tank with a good amount of hiding places and for it to be well oxygenated. They do enjoy a good dig, so soft sandy substrate is beneficial, they will also potentially uproot plants. Temperature Needed: 3.9-21.7°C (39-71°F) Tank Size Needed: at least 284 Litres (75 US G.) This is a big fish that is a bit Cichlid-like in its appearance and behaviour, much like it's cousin the Lepomis macrochirus . Unlike L.macrochirus, the Pumpkinseed is a bit of a meanie, it will definitely eat fish small enough to be considered a snack and can be aggressive towards other tank mates. It can only be kept with similar sized and VERY robust tank mates, including their own kind although two males will display and fight with one another. They are also quite messy fish and require a spacious and well filtered aquarium. Diet wise they are unfussy, most meaty foods will be accepted. They will also take great pleasure in redecorating their tank, so any décor should be heavy and very secure and any heaters/thermometers must be protected.

Note: this fish is illegal in England and Wales. Temperature Needed: 10-26.7°C (50-80°F) Tank Size Needed: at least 341 Litres (90 US G.) plus This is a large Catfish with an equally large mouth to match. It has a very typical "catfish" look with a broad flat head and a large mouth surrounded by several sets of barbels. They are best kept in large species tanks or with fish too large to be eaten. They are primarily nocturnal and are not fussy eaters. They do like to hide during the day and décor should be large and sturdy so it cannot be knocked over and it will uproot plants. These are remarkably hardy fish surviving in conditions that would kill most. This is not an excuse, however, to keep them in an inadequate set up! They are best kept in dimly lit, very well filtered and oxygenated tanks.

Temperature Needed: 17.8-22.8°C (64-73°F) Tank Size Needed: at least 757 Litres (200 US G.) plus Also called the "High-Fin Banded Shark", this fish is found in stores when it is in its attractive and unusual juvenile stage at around 10.2-15.2cm (4-6"). It has a very tall sail-like dorsal fin with black bands and speckling on a white body. Be wary, this fish has the potential to get VERY large and need exceptional housing, beyond the means of the average fishkeeper. Unfortunately they're rarely seen as adults in captivity, many dying long before they have the opportunity to grow to their full potential. If it does reach adult size it won't be half as attractive as it was a juvenile, with instead a long cylindrical body and a short dorsal fin with fairly dull colouring. It is also known to be a shoaling fish, they are often sold alone which leaves them very stressed and prone to disorders. If you do have room for a very large tank then this fish could be an interesting one to keep and an achievement to get to adulthood.

Note: this fish is illegal in England and Wales. Koi waiting for food Temperature Needed: 1.7-25°C (35-77°F) Tank Size Needed: PONDS ONLY over 3785 Litres (1000 US G.) Koi are up there with one of the best known fish next to Goldfish , indeed it seems alarmingly common for juvenile Koi Carp be sold alongside Common Goldfish for indoor aquariums. Koi should be considered strictly pond fish, they need very wide, deep and long ponds, a minimum of 91.4cm (36") in depth, and filtered. They also grow exceptionally quickly, easily getting to 30.5cm (12") in a year. On average they get between 61-91.4cm (24-36"), however 121.9cm (48") Koi are not unheard of! Together with a big length they have an equally large girth and a large adult Koi is a LOT of fish.

They may only be kept in tanks or large tubs to over-winter as juveniles, these tanks or tubs must be large, ideally over 379 Litres (100 US G.) and very well filtered. Koi are greedy and messy fish, well known for begging for food, be careful not to overfeed though as they can suffer the same digestive problems as overfed Goldfish . Keeping Koi is its own niche market, if you are interested in keeping these fish it would be worth enquiring about town to see if there's a local Koi-keeping club near you, they will be able to help with a pond set up and sourcing good quality fish. In good care a Koi would need to be written into your Will, on average they can last over 50 years, with the oldest on record being over 200 years old! Temperature Needed: 1.7-20°C (35-68°F) Tank Size Needed: PONDS ONLY over 3785 Litres (1000 US G.) These are increasingly commonly found in pond stores. They are very unusual prehistoric looking creatures with spines along their bodies and a long snout.

They are mostly bottom dwelling and quite shy, most active at dawn and dusk. Due to this, the albino variants are very popular as they're more easily seen in a pond than the darker coloured Sterlets. Sterlets are Sturgeon, the Sterlet is the only fish in the Sturgeon family really suitable for the average home pond, a lot of the others either grow a lot larger and need more of a lake than a pond, while others are endangered or require a more salty set up. Sturgeon roe is often used as caviar which has lent to some of the Sturgeon species' demise. They are peaceful generally (although they may eat small fish and fry) and need careful feeding so as not to die from malnutrition and starvation - if you see them bobbing along the surface of a holding tank at a store, they're already suffering problems with malnutrition! They also require good oxygenation, poor water quality and low oxygen in a pond, especially in the summer, will kill them. These are stunning fish, if you have the space and time for them. Note: this fish is illegal in New South Wales, Australia. Freshwater Invertebrates The following invertebrates are suitable for sub-tropical or coldwater tanks.

Just like fish, more are becoming available in the pet trade as time goes on. Be aware that all inverts may become snacks to larger fish and there are some legal issues with inverts such as Crayfish. Temperature Needed: 20-22.8°C (68-73°F) Tank Size Needed: at least 19 Litres (5 US G.) These are exceptionally attractive and striking shrimp which are becoming increasingly popular and desirable in the pet trade, with some high graded shrimp selling for extremely high prices! Unfortunately they're not always marketed as needing cool temperatures and so many do not last long in warmer tanks or during heatwaves. They should ideally be kept in cool planted tanks which are several months mature, they are exceptionally sensitive to water chemistry issues. They are really best kept in shrimp tanks and not with fish, due to their tiny size they can easily be eaten by fish, especially their near microscopic shrimplets! In good conditions they will breed readily in aquaria. Temperature Needed: 20-25°C (68-77°F) Tank Size Needed: at least 19 Litres (5 US G.) These shrimp are a much hardier option for shrimp tanks compared to Crystal Reds.

They are best kept in a mature planted tank with good algae growth on which to graze. They are sensitive to water chemistry fluctuations. Keep in groups with a good mix of males and females, females are more red and bulky than males. They breed best in cooler temperatures. Provide some dense plants like Java Moss to hide in. They should not be kept with fish that could eat them and are ideally kept in shrimp only tanks. They can be mixed with Caridina shrimp, but should not be kept with other Neocaridina to avoid hybridising. Temperature Needed: 20-28.9°C (68-84°F) Tank Size Needed: at least 19 Litres (5 US G.) The Ghost Shrimp are very similar in size to the Crystal Reds and Cherries, however, they are more scavengers than algae eaters. They will do well on general shrimp pellets and a fairly densely planted tank. Like the other dwarf shrimp, it will be sensitive to water quality. They will also breed well in tank conditions so extras may need to be rehomed. They do appreciate company of their own kind so keeping them in good sized groups is beneficial.

They will not hybridise with Caridina dwarf shrimp, but it is best not to mix the species, they have been known to eat the shrimplets of other shrimp species, as well as fish fry. Temperature Needed: 18.3-23.9°C (65-75°F) Tank Size Needed: at least 57-76 Litres (15-20 US G.) This is a large North American Crayfish that is particularly feisty and aggressive. It will harass tank mates and eat anything it can get its claws on! For that reason it is best to keep one to a tank. Like all inverts it can be sensitive to water chemistry in the confines of a tank so will need a well maintained healthy mature tank with plenty of hiding places in wood and rock. It can be particularly territorial too, so should not be kept with any other Crayfish species. They can also be fairly disruptive in a tank, so décor should be very secure and they will tear up live plants. Substrate should be soft and sturdy enough for them to dig and burrow. Note: this Crayfish is illegal in several countries as it can be an aggressive invader in non-native rivers or lakes.

It is illegal in the UK and also a few states in the US, as well as some other countries. There are strict export laws surrounding this species of Cray! Other Creatures Temperature Needed: 15.6-17.8°C (60-64°F) Tank Size Needed: at least 76 Litres (20 US G.) for one The Axolotl is a Salamander stuck in its larval form. It is a bit of a freak of nature, even in this larval form it breeds and rarely "transforms" into a land-based Salamander. The Axolotl MUST have very cool consistent temperatures, it will suffer in warm water. It is also prone to having it's long external gills nipped by fish and is therefore best kept in species tanks. It will also try and eat anything it can fit in its mouth, including invertebrates, fish and other Axolotls! This could also include their substrate so they are best kept on large river rocks, too large to be eaten, or shallow sand no deeper than 2.5cm (1"). They are very messy and will require a very well filtered, but without strong current, and fully cycled tank.

They don't require a deep tank, at least the length of their body in depth should be fine, they will often just perch near the surface, not being overly active animals except at feeding time. They also do not require very heavily oxygenated water, indeed if it's too oxygenated their gills will shrink and wither! Read our article linked above for more details on these creatures. Fish - Animal Crossing Wiki Guide - IGN Got feedback on our player? We want to hear it. In order to fish, players must first acquire a Fishing rod . This can be purchased at Nookling General Stores for 500 Bells . If you can't find a rod at the store, talk to Isabelle at the information counter at Town Hall and take all of her advice for living in your town, and she will eventually offer to sell you one (to do this, you have to say you have an interest in fishing, not bug catching). Once you have the fishing rod , find your target by searching for fish shadows. These can appear in the River , the Small Ponds scattered throughout your village, the Ocean , or the Tropical Island . The fish available vary depending on location, weather, time of day, and time of year.

Equip your rod and press A while facing the water. The fish should soon go for the bait. The trick now is to watch the floater. Once it goes completely underwater, quickly press A again to reel in the fish. If you press it too early or too late, the fish will disappear, and you must find a new target. Pro Tip: No fish will nibble more than five times. If they reach four, they will always bite on the fifth approach. Edit Fishing Rod Upgrades Algae Eating Blue Amur Taiwan Bitterling Paracheilognathus himantegus | Arizona Aquatic Gardens Stocking: 1 male for evey 2 females 1-2 bitterling per every sq foot of pond space Diet: Omnivore, supplement feed with Pellets, Flakes, or Live Foods Life Span: 4 - 6 years Native to: Asia Family: Cyprinidae The algae eating Blue Amur or Taiwan Bitterling is an absolutely stunning fish with a peaceful demeanor. The Taiwan Bitterling should not be confused with other Bitterlings as this more uncommon specific species is unique on its own.

This fish is typically known to consume a wide variety of algae, worms and larvae, the Taiwan Bitterling also eats Mosquitoes and other flying insects that land on the water surface. This fish is great for ponds and can be kept in either freshwater or brackish water as well. Remember to stock at least 1-2 bitterling per every surface sq foot of pond space. When reached to full maturity, the Taiwan Bitterling resembles large Rainbowfish. Minimum order is no less than 3.

Algae Eating Blue Amur Taiwan Bitterling <h2>Algae Eating Blue Amur Taiwan Bitterling For Sale</h2> <p>Paracheilognathus himantegus<br /><br />syn:&nbsp;Acheilognathus chii, Achilognathus himantegus, Tanakia himantegus</p> <p>aka:&nbsp;Blue Amur<br /><br />Max Size: 6-8 cm (2.4 - 3.4") <br />Best pH: 6.5 - 7.5 <br />Ideal Temps: 15 -28 &deg;C (59-82.4&deg;F)<br />Water Hardness: 6-10 &deg;<br />Stocking: 1 male for evey 2 females<br />1-2 bitterling per every sq foot of pond space<br />Diet: Omnivore, supplement feed with Pellets, Flakes, or Live Foods<br />Life Span: 4 - 6 years <br />Native to: Asia <br />Family: Cyprinidae</p> The algae eating Blue Am

ur or Taiwan Bitterling is an absolutely stunning fish with a peaceful demeanor.

The Taiwan Bitterling should not be confused with other Bitterlings as this more uncommon specific species is unique on its own.<br /><br />This fish is typically known to consume a wide variety of algae, worms and larvae, the Taiwan Bitterling also eats Mosquitoes and other flying insects that land on the water surface. This fish is great for ponds and can be kept in either freshwater or brackish water as well. Remember to stock at least&nbsp;1-2 bitterling per every surface sq foot of pond space.<br /><br />When reached to full maturity, the Taiwan Bitterling resembles large Rainbowfish. Minimum order is no less than 3. $5.99 5 0 About Us Arizona Aquatic Gardens is one of the leading suppliers in the U.S. of farm-raised tropical fish, aquatic plants and niched business for algae eating animals such as Snails, Shrimp & Fish. Buy direct from America's leading aquatic discount company! ... Read More Lore:Bestiary B - UESPWiki Lore:Bestiary B Baliwog[ edit ] A baliwog Baliwogs are aquatic-dwelling creatures that frequent the lakes, rivers and bogs of the Shivering Isles .

Their meat is a common local dish to the residents of the Shivering Isles. A fully-grown adult Baliwog can deliver a nasty blow from its claws, a swing from its tail or a potentially deadly bite from its razor-sharp teeth. It spreads many diseases and can regenerate health when exposed to water. Rumored to be a larval stage of the Grummites or the Scalon . Found in: A type of fish that can be found in the Alik'r Desert region. Found in: Banekin[ edit ] A Banekin A small Daedra resembling a winged humanoid. Banekin are associated with Molag Bal and use powerful shock spells in combat. They can speak Tamrielic, and are sometimes used as familiars by powerful wizards. Found in: Bantam Guar[ edit ] Bantam Guar Bantam Guar are small, docile creatures native to Morrowind, that are part of the scuttler family. They are also commonly called "ugly chickens " due to their appearance and behavior, and like chickens, are raised for eggs and meat. Despite the name, they are not related to guar . Found in: A type of fish that can be found on Auridon .

Found in: A type of fish that can be found in Stormhaven . Found in: Bat[ edit ] A swarm of bats Bats are found flying in caves and dungeons, traveling in groups. They are related to Vampires , as Vampire Lords can tranform into a cloud of bats, or use bats to attack enemies in combat. See also: Giant Bats . Found in: Bay Horse[ edit ] A bay horse A breed of horse in Cyrodiil , with a dark brown color. The Imperial Legion train many of these as mounts. Found in: Bear [ edit ] A threatening bear Bears are large, vicious predators that will attack people if found infringing on their territory. They are impressive creatures, much larger than the average adventurer, especially when standing up on their rear feet. Bears have two main types of attack: biting, or standing up on the rear legs and mauling you with their paws. They live either in the wilderness or in their cave lairs. Bee[ edit ] A bee Bees are yellow-black insects which live in hive colonies in forested areas. Both the bees and their hives are commonly used as ingredients in alchemy, as well as the Honey they produce.

Found in: Behemoths are hulking bipedal Argonians . They have powerful melee attacks and can also spew poison. Found in: Black Bear [ edit ] A black bear A smaller species of bear found throughout the woodlands of Tamriel. Some Spriggans have the ability to magically summon bears to defend themselves or attack passersby. Variations: West Weald Black Bear Found in: A type of fish that can be found in Coldharbour . Found in: A type of fish that can be found in Grahtwood . Found in: A type of fish that can be found in Craglorn . Found in: A type of fish that can be found in Bangkorai . Found in: The fastest of the five breeds of domesticated horses available in Cyrodiil. Found in: A type of fish that can be found in rivers on Auridon . Found in: A type of fish that can be found on Auridon . Found in: A type of fish that can be found in Coldharbour . Found in: Boar[ edit ] A boar Boars are small, relatively slow animals with dangerous tusks. They are found in Plains, Swamps, Forest, and Rainforest regions.

Related to the Bristlebacks of Solstheim . Found in: A type of fish that can be found in Shadowfen . Found in: A type of fish that can be found in the Alik'r Desert region. Found in: Bone Hawk[ edit ] A bone hawk Bone hawks are undead birds found circling Castle Volkihar . Its body is similar to a regular hawk , but its head is an exposed skull and the body is darker. Found in: Bonelord[ edit ] A bonelord Bonelords are a form of revenant that is usually found protecting the tombs scattered throughout Morrowind. Bonelords can curse their opponents' attributes (Endurance/Speed), are immune to Normal Weapons, and resistant to frost, poison, and shock. Found in: Boneman[ edit ] A boneman Bonemen are skeletal undead found within the Soul Cairn , where they serve the Ideal Masters for eternity. They are often ghostly, and can be tinted black or red. Found in: Bonewalker[ edit ] A bonewalker Bonewalkers are a form of revenant that guards the tombs throughout Morrowind and can be summoned by magic users.

Though not as powerful as other undead, the Bonewalker is feared for the terrible curses it can bestow upon its foes. Bonewalkers are resistant to frost, poison, and shock attacks. Variations: Lesser Bonewalker, Greater Bonewalker Found in: Bonewolf [ edit ] A bonewolf Foul beasts, not of this earth. These are creatures brought into existence by black magic. They are a mockery of the true and good wolves that roam this land.— Risi Ice-Mane Bonewolves are an undead type of wolf haunting the old tombs on Solstheim . The RSPB: Browse bird families: Bitterns and herons Browse bird families Image: Graham Catley Herons are small to very large. All have long legs with particularly long toes, useful when wading on soft mud or standing on floating vegetation. Their wings are broad and rounded, often markedly bowed in flight, and they all have long or very long, sinuous necks and dagger-shaped bills. Herons catch fish and other aquatic creatures by grabbing them in the bill rather than spearing. Many species nest in trees, often in mixed colonies, while bitterns are much more secretive and nest in dense reeds.

There are many other species worldwide. Encyclopedia Order Bugs, Fish, and Deep Sea Creatures - Animal Crossing: New Leaf Guide Animal Crossing: New Leaf Guide Fishing Tourney → Encyclopedia Order Bugs, Fish, and Deep Sea Creatures Not sure which bugs, fish, or deep sea creatures you're missing? Compare your in-game encyclopedia with the ones on this page to find out! These lists are in encyclopedia order and match the layout of the in-game encyclopedia to make it easy to find what you need. The Spraying Characin, Splashing Tetra (Copella arnoldi) and More The Spraying Characin, Splashing Tetra (Copella arnoldi) and More Unusual Breeding Behaviours and Strange Desplays of Love in Aquariums By Thomas Reich Updated June 23, 2016. I have found a few egg-layers that are even stranger than some of the fish we have covered here lately, you remember Anableps; the Four-eyed Fish and Dwarf Egyptian Mouthbrooder.

Now I bring you some even stranger aquarium fish includeing the Spraying Characin that lay, care for and hatch their eggs outside of the water, the Bitterling that actually lay their eggs inside a live mussel, and even though the eggs hatch the mussel does not seem to notice and the strange courtships behaviours of certain cichlids. The Spraying Characin: a member of a family that includes the feared Piranha-probably the most rapacious of all fresh-water fish. Otherwise, the Characin family of fish is made up of mostly small and peaceful species, many of which are familiar Aquarium fish. Fish like the Neon, Glowlite Tetra, Black Skirt Tetra and Buenos Aires Tetra to name a few. The Spraying Characin is also peaceable as well as colorful and attractive. It’s mating behavior makes The Spraying Characin also called the Splashing Tetra an unusually interesting aquarium inhabitant. During the mating ritual, the female jumps out of the water and onto the leaves or stems of water plants that extend above the surface of the water.

There she deposits her eggs, a few at a time, and is followed by the male jumping out of the water after her to fertilize the eggs each time she lays another small batch. In this unique but rather exhausting manner, the several hundred eggs a pair of this species commonly produces in a single spawning are laid and fertilized. The female’s job is then done; the male, however, is far from having completed his part of the reproductive cycle. He remains near the eggs and guards them, even though they are above the water’s surface. To prevent their being dried out by the air; he sprays water over them from time to time with flips of his caudal fin. When the eggs finally hatch, the male directs a final, especially heavy spray at them, and so washes them down into the water. Only then is his task complete, and he goes about his own business without paying further attention to his offspring. The strange behavior of the Splashing Tetra or Spraying Characin, which has given the species its common name, is unique even among the Characin’s own immediate group; as far as I know, no other member of the Characin family behaves in this manner.

A closely related fish of the same genus, for instance, deposits its eggs in a pit dug in sand or gravel, others breed normally in amongst the fine leaved plants, still others prefer moss or debris. I still have not found a really convincing reason why the Spraying Characin evolved its spawning activities into such a difficult and totally unique chore. The Bitterling : Another fish with interesting habits as well as beautiful coloring is the Bitterling which is actually native to the streams of Europe and Eastern North America. This tiny relative of the carp family is usually a rather undistinguished-looking greenish-yellow fish. But during the breeding season the male turns into a glittering golden creature whose metallic hues would make the traditional Goldfish appear dull in comparison. The female during the breeding season develops a special tube-like ovipositor with which she injects her eggs into certain kinds of fresh-water mussels; it is there where the male fertilizes them. Strangely, the eggs do not seem to even bother the mussel at all, nor do the young that hatch in the mantle of the mollusk and continue to live there, well protected from enemies, for several days!

Finally, the mussel seems to get tired of its uninvited tenants and expels them with the waste water. However, by that time, the young are large enough to fend for themselves. Without the mussel, the Bitterling could not breed. Again, no one so far has advanced a good explanation why this fish alone of all its relatives has evolved the peculiar habit of selecting an involuntary baby-sitter for its young during the critical first few days of their lives. What caused this species to develop the ability to inject the eggs into the mussel? Why do the Mussels not digest the eggs or the fry, so many questions, no answers? The Wrasses: Then there is the unusual case of the wrasses, some of which go through the first part of their lives as sexually mature females, and later undergo a sex change that turns them into functional males. We know that in at least two species of Wrasse, one female becomes a male upon the death of the last surviving male of any particular school. In that way, there is never any danger of the eggs not getting fertilized because any female can turn into a male whenever it becomes necessary.

Courtship and Lasting Love Among Certain Species: It is interesting to note that almost all fish, with intricate and complex courtship habits also engage in some type of brood care, in which either one or both parents take part. There is a clear relationship between territorial fights, courtship rituals, and brood care in the majority of instances, and extreme territorial possessiveness usually indicates some advanced form of care for the young. By and large, the serious business of preparing a nest site for their future offspring is the first concern of the prospective parent or parents after the territorial problem has been settled. In some species, such as the Angel Fish , a mated pair will form a true partnership, and share in everything from preparing the nest site to guarding and protecting the young until they can fend for themselves. Often such a pair remains together in a lasting attachment long after the breeding season. Fish are Closer to Birds than Reptiles in Breeding Behaviors: It is interesting to note that in their breeding behavior and especially in their brood care, such fish are reminiscent of birds much more than of their much closer evolutionary kin, the reptile.

No reptile, for example, practices any type of brood care even remotely resembling that of some of the fish we have given as examples. The great majority, in fact, pay no attention at all to their offspring once the eggs have been laid. The few exceptions among reptiles that fashion a nest of sorts lose all interest in their young once the eggs have hatched; there is not a single known case where a reptile guards and protects its young against enemies. The fierce protectiveness of their nest and offspring displayed by many fish, on the other hand, is strikingly like the parental devotion that is a familiar feature of bird or avian behavior. One Final Word: Out of the bewildering array of fish that I have most unscientifically classified under the heading of “unusual egg layers” are many old favorites and a few new importations of what I hope were of some interest. The amateur’s choice is limited only by their pocketbook, his accessibility to pet shops, and their susceptibility to the advertisements of fish dealers. If you read the magazines devoted to the subject, you will find yourself each month wanting to pick up a new kind of fish for your aquarium.

If you are like me, your enthusiasm, once aroused, will be difficult to hold in check. But to maintain the ideal “show tank” it is important that you exercise restraint. Remember, do not over crowd your aquarium, read here to make sure what you have chosen is compatible with the rest of your aquarium community, and pay attention to your pets environmental and dietary needs. If you spend as much time studying your fish and their needs as you do discovering new fish that you want to own, you will be a success in this great hobby of ours! For more information check out our Twitter , Facebook and Pinterest and feel free to ask questions by clicking here. If you encounter problems, come back to about.com and I will do my best to help your aquarium thrive. I love fish and I want you to grow with the hobby. I want you to have all the information at your fingertips to create a happy healthy aquarium community for you and your family.

Question: What type of creature is a bitterling?
Answer: Fish